Poland: Legal Response to Covid-19

StatusVoR
Dublin Core metadata
Alternative title
Authors
Bodnar, Adam
Daniel, Paweł
Kowalski, Paweł
Radajewski, Mateusz
Monograph
The Oxford Compendium of National Legal Responses to Covid-19
Monograph (alternative title)
Editor
King, Jeff
Ferraz, Octavio
Date
2024-09-01
Place of publication
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Journal title
Volume
Pages
1-45
DOI
ISSN
ISBN
eISBN
9780192897078
Series
Series number
ISSN of series
Weblink
https://oxcon.ouplaw.com/display/10.1093/law-occ19/law-occ19-e51?rskey=WR9fZG&result=1&prd=OCC19
Access date
2026-02-03
Remarks
Abstract PL
Abstract EN
As of December 2023, Poland has reported 6,590,705 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 119,886 deaths. The pandemic unfolded in multiple waves, with significant spikes in infections and deaths occurring during the autumn of 2020 and winter of 2021, as well as subsequent surges linked to the Delta and Omicron variants. Poland’s healthcare system, while relatively well-developed, experienced periods of significant strain, particularly during the peaks of infection when hospital capacities were overwhelmed and shortages of medical staff and equipment were reported. The government’s public health response evolved over time, initially focusing on lockdowns and restrictions, later transitioning to mass vaccination campaigns, with varying degrees of compliance and public support. The Covid-19 pandemic occurred in Poland at a time when the country was already experiencing concerns related to the rule of law and trends in governance. In response to the pandemic, the Government opted not to declare a constitutional state of emergency (stan nadzwyczajny), but instead chose to manage the situation through existing legal frameworks, supplemented by new legislation. Observers have noted that the pandemic revealed significant challenges in state preparedness, with some laws reportedly being passed hastily and questions raised about the Government’s use of extraordinary powers. Critics have argued that certain rights and freedoms were restricted during the pandemic, at times exceeding the limits set by law, and that some policies, particularly those affecting women’s rights, led to significant societal debate. Furthermore, concerns have been raised regarding the lack of accountability for potential misuse of public funds, as well as the transparency and consistency of certain policies. Public opinion was also influenced by populist sentiments, including the anti-vaccination movement.
Abstract other
Keywords PL
Keywords EN
Keywords other
Conference edition name
Conference place
Start date
Finish date
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG 3. Good Health and Well-being ,
SDG 16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Exhibition title
Place of exhibition (institution)
Exhibition curator
Organisational Unit
Wydział Prawa w Warszawie
Wydział Prawa i Komunikacji Społecznej we Wrocławiu
Instytut Prawa
URI
https://share.swps.edu.pl/handle/swps/2167
Type
Version
Version of Record
License type
cc-by-nc
Except as otherwise noted, this item is licensed under the Attribution-NonCommercial licence | Permitted use of copyrighted works
Funder
Time range from
Time range to
Contact person name
item.page.relation.dataset
Related publication
Related publication
Grant/project name
Views
Views3
Acquisition Date4.02.2026
Downloads
Downloads1
Acquisition Date4.02.2026